Two days after Johnny Romano would’ve celebrated his 11th birthday, his family, friends and others he inspired gathered together Saturday to honor the skateboarder with “probably the best birthday present” ever.

The city of Galveston renamed Menard Park’s skate park the Johnny Romano Skate Park during a ceremony.

“He would be embarrassed we were making such a fuss over him,” said Rhonda Gregg, a family friend who spearheaded construction of the skate park. “Johnny was a rock star little skater pro, but he did it just because he loved it.

“Johnny would be proud. This is his park. That’s his home break that he surfed out front. This is what he lived for. I guarantee he’s watching us and smiling today.”

Johnny died in September at the age of 10 after a three-and-a-half-year battle with leukemia. Officials allowed him to skate at the park before its opening in June after he relapsed and just before he returned for treatment.

Johnny’s father, Mike, spoke poignantly about the “one special hour” Johnny skated at the park before it opened.

“Skateboarding was a passion for Johnny and a relief valve,” Mike said. “Skating got him through the tough times. It’s something he would lean on.”

“Never through all those years of treatment did he cry, was angry or was upset,” Dreyer said. “His last day, when he was so sick, you could still get a hint of a smile from him. This is just the perfect place for his spirit to live on … or roll on, I think they say in this lingo.”

Horton agreed.

“He was always so optimistic and always faced his treatment with a lot of strength and energy,” Horton said. “He was a great joy to take care of.”

Johnny’s parents were moved by the park dedication.

“It means the world to me and our family,” Julie said. “It’s just a wonderful day, so close to Johnny’s birthday, and he loved skating. There are no words to describe how meaningful it is.”

About Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers

As an international leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers are joint programs of Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. The Centers are dedicated to providing novel therapies and family-centered care to children from infancy through young adulthood with cancer and blood disorders – from the most common to very rare. Texas Children’s Cancer Center is the pediatric program of BCM’s NCI-designated Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #2 Center in the United States, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers treats more childhood cancer and hematology patients than any other program in the U.S., with patients coming from 35 states and 26 countries around the world.